My wife (Dr. Julie)and I are natural care physicians working in Freeport Illinois. We also raise Alpacas on our farmette outside of town. Having practiced in Chicagoland for 20 years we are very much enjoying the more rural lifestyle. I write a monthly newsletter for my patients and colleagues that I will post on this site so others may share.

Monday, November 03, 2003

Shingles is a painful disease. It starts with a painful and very tender rash with blisters. A quarter of cases occur in the face. It is more common in the elderly and in people whose resistance is low because of illness or stress. It is caused by the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in the body after the chickenpox infection.Roughly 20 percent of those diagnosed with shingles go on to suffer long-lasting pain from post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition that can be more painful than shingles. Although most people suffer with shingles for about a month, the pain and skin sensitivity can continue for months or even years in some patients with PHN. Shingles can be treated with antiviral medication provided it is given within 3 days of the rash appearing.There are some studies that show that this may not reduce the frequency ofPHN.

At Complementary Medicine we have helped people from age 4 to 90 with the pain of shingles and PHN.We use a combination of acupuncture and high frequency lymphatic drainage.If we can start treatment of shingles during the active lesion phase most of the time we reduce or eliminate the pain in 2 or 3 visits.PHN may take longer depending on how long the pt. has had it and how much nerve damage has been done.We are starting to use the cold laser for more chronic pain suffering.So the earlier we start treating the better.

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About Me

Since 1985, Glenn Smith has been providing his services in a natural-care, family-practice office. After all these years, he is still amazed at the body's ability to respond and heal naturally. Dr. Smith specializes in Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Naprapathy, and Chiropractic care. After completing undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Valparaiso University, Dr. Smith received a Doctor of Naprapathy Degree from the Chicago National College of Naprapathy - where he met his wife, Dr. Julie Smith. He then earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from the National Chiropractic College in Lombard, where he was honored with the Academic Program Development Award. He is board certified and licensed in Acupuncture, Naturopathy and Naprapathy. Dr. Smith is a member of several associations, including the American Chiropractic Association, Illinois Chirpractic Society, and Illinois Acupuncture Federation. Dr. Smith is married to his partner, Dr. Julie Smith. They enjoy an active life with their two children, and can often be found playing insturments and singing in local musical groups as well as attending the alpaca herd.